Senior pet care
Senior pet care
in Blakehurst
Helping older dogs and cats stay comfortable, active and well with thorough health checks, early screening and practical advice tailored to your pet.
Senior pet health
Helping older pets stay
healthy and comfortable
As dogs and cats get older, changes in their health can develop gradually. They may still seem well at home even when an early problem is beginning.
As a general guide, dogs may enter their senior years from around seven years of age, although larger breeds often age earlier. Cats are commonly considered senior from around ten years of age. Age is only one factor, though, and your veterinarian can advise when senior screening is appropriate for your individual pet.
Regular senior health checks give us an opportunity to assess your pet carefully, monitor changes over time and investigate concerns before they become more obvious. Screening may help identify or monitor changes involving kidney and liver function, blood sugar, thyroid function, blood pressure, arthritis and mobility, dental health, weight and muscle condition.
A normal result is useful too. It gives us a baseline to compare with future results and can help us recognise changes earlier as your pet gets older.
The Senior Health Package - Save $150
Our Senior Health Package combines an extended veterinary consultation with screening tests and assessments designed specifically for older pets.
- Extended veterinary consultation
- Thorough physical examination
- Comprehensive senior blood testing
- Urine testing
- Blood pressure check
- Arthritis and mobility assessment
- Dental assessment
- Personalised Senior Health Summary
- Complimentary nail clip if needed
Normally $600 - now $450
Signs to watch for
Changes worth mentioning
to your vet
Age-related health changes can be subtle. Let us know if you’ve noticed anything different, even if it seems minor.
Eating or drinking
Changes in appetite or drinking more or less than usual.
Weight or muscle
Weight loss, weight gain or loss of muscle condition.
Toileting
Changes in urination, bowel movements or toileting habits.
Movement
Difficulty standing, walking, climbing stairs or jumping.
Breathing
Coughing, panting or changes in breathing.
Behaviour or sleep
Sleeping more, restlessness, confusion or changes in interaction with the family.
Skin, coat or lumps
Changes to the skin or coat, or new or changing lumps and bumps.
Vision or hearing
Changes in sight, hearing or awareness of surroundings.
If your pet is suddenly unwell, in pain or deteriorating, don’t wait for a scheduled senior health check. Please call us so we can advise how quickly they should be seen.
Our senior care
Senior care at
Blakehurst Vet
At Blakehurst Vet, we take a practical and individual approach to senior pet care. We consider your pet’s age, medical history, lifestyle and any changes you have noticed at home, then explain what the results mean and what, if anything, should happen next.
During your pet’s Senior Health Package appointment, your veterinarian will ask about their health and daily routine before carrying out a thorough physical examination. We assess areas including the heart and lungs, abdomen, eyes, ears, skin, coat, mouth, joints, weight and muscle condition, as well as checking blood pressure and collecting blood samples. A urine sample is also required.
The senior blood profile includes testing that can help identify reduced kidney function earlier than some traditional blood measurements, particularly in pets that have lost muscle as they age. This result is not considered on its own. Your veterinarian will interpret it alongside the rest of the blood results, urine testing, blood pressure, examination findings and any changes you have noticed at home.
Once the results are available, you will receive a Personalised Senior Health Summary explaining your pet’s examination and test findings. It may also include changes to monitor at home, weight and nutrition recommendations, mobility or arthritis advice, dental findings, recommended follow-up and when your pet should have their next health check.
Not every senior pet will need treatment. The aim is to give you a clear picture of your pet’s current health and make the next steps easy to understand.
Helpful reading for senior pet owners
Our vets regularly write about the health changes we see in older dogs and cats, including mobility, weight loss, increased thirst and subtle signs that something may have changed.
Questions answered
Frequently asked questions
Can’t find what you need? Call us on 02 9547 2750
Does my pet need to be showing symptoms?
No. The Senior Health Package is designed for older pets whether or not they appear unwell. Some health changes develop gradually and may not be obvious at home in the early stages.
Will my pet need to fast?
This depends on your pet’s individual circumstances and any medication they are taking. Please follow the instructions our team gives you when you book rather than fasting your pet without advice.
How do I collect a urine sample?
Collection methods are different for dogs and cats. When you book, our team will explain whether we would like you to bring a sample from home and how to collect it. If collecting a sample at home isn’t suitable, we can discuss other options.
What happens if a result is abnormal?
Your veterinarian will explain what the result means and whether it should be monitored, repeated or investigated further. We will discuss any recommended additional testing or treatment, including the cost, with you first.
Is treatment included in the Senior Health Package?
No. The $450 package covers the listed consultation, assessments and screening tests. Medication, diagnostic imaging, additional laboratory tests and treatment are charged separately if required.
How often should a senior pet have a health check?
Many older dogs and cats benefit from a veterinary examination every six months. The most appropriate schedule will depend on your pet’s age, health history and any existing medical conditions.
Give small changes the attention they deserve
Getting older isn’t an illness, but changes shouldn’t automatically be dismissed as a normal part of ageing. Our Senior Health Package provides a thorough picture of your pet’s current health and a clear plan for what comes next.
Senior Health Package $450
Normally $600 · Save $150